Labor Movements

  • Knights of Labor founded

    Knights of Labor founded
    It began as a secret society, but quicky grew into the largest and most significant labor organization in the U.S. in the 1800s. The KOL called abolition of the wage system and fought to organize all workers into one big union, including women and immigrants. The KOL was founded by sevn members of the Philadelphia traitors' union, led by Uraih Smith Stephens and James L. Wright.
  • Haymarket Riot

    Haymarket Riot
    On May 4, 1886, a labor protest rally near Chicago's Haymarket Square turned into a riot after someone threw a bomb at police. At least eight people died of the violonce that day. Eight radical labor activists were convicted in connection with the bombing.
  • International Ladies' Garment Workers Union

    International Ladies' Garment Workers Union
    Former industrial union in the United States and Canada that represented workers' n the women's clothing industry. Most of it's members were Jewish immigrants employed in sweat shops. Successful strikes in 1909 and 1910 in New York City by the ILGWU resulted in a “protocol of peace” between the women’s clothing industry and labour. The protocol greatly improved conditions for the garment-makers; wages were increased, working hours were reduced, the union was recognized by the clothing manufactur
  • Coal strike

    Coal strike
    In the United Mine Workers under John L. Lewis announced a strike for Nov. 1, 1919.
  • Wagner Act

    Wagner Act
    The Wagner Act was a new deal reformed passed by President Franklin Roosenvelt on July 5, 1935. It was instrumental in preventing employers from interfering with workers' union mand protests in rivate sectors.
  • Fair Labor Standards Act

    Fair Labor Standards Act
    The Fair labor Standard Act establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments.
  • Taft-Hartley Act

    Taft-Hartley Act
    The taft-Hartly Act was passed over the veto of Harry S. Truman on 23rd of June, 1947. The act delcared the closed shop illegal and permitted the union shop only after a vote of a majority of the employees. It also forbade jurisdictional strikes and secondary boycotts. The Taft-Hartley Act also gave the United States Attorney General the power to obtain an 80 day injunction when a threatened or actual strike that he/she believed "imperiled the national health or safety".